I blinked a few times. We?
Morty worked her jaw back and forth. “Huh.”
That was not the response I wanted to hear.
“Huh,” Riven echoed. “What does that mean?”
Morty shot a look at my father, then back to us. “The shop usually accepts its new owners within a few weeks. It stopped trying to kill me after a couple of days.”
My eyes bugged. That was new information.
She tapped her chin. “Of course I had my husband at my side. Rest his soul.” Morty’s brows furrowed. “You’re clearly bringing in the customers, providing them with a great tea experience. All I’ve heard is rave reviews about the tea and the service.” She frowned. “How did your first matchmaking night go?”
I cleared my throat. Steeped in Love was well known for its singles events. They happened every month, a chance for people looking for love to sit and chat with potential matches over hot tea. “Well.” I twisted my hands together. “I kind of cancelled it.”
“What?” Morty asked in horror.
“Why did you do that?” my father said.
I felt Riven’s eyes on me, burning into me.
“Emma,” Morty said slowly. “I think I’ve diagnosed the problem. Every owner since the founder of Steeped in Love has been in a relationship. You know the rich matchmaking history of the shop. It’s in the name. Love is a very important part of Steeped in Love. It wants an owner that will take that seriously.”
I scoffed, unable to believe what she was saying. “You’re telling me that the tea shop doesn’t like me because I’m not in a relationship?”
That was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard.
Morty gave me a sympathetic smile. “I’m afraid that may be the case.”
My father nodded along like this wasn’t absolutely absurd. Riven still just stared at me.
“What am I supposed to do?” I asked with a laugh. “Conjure a boyfriend?”
“Oh I wouldn’t recommend it.” Morty smacked her lips. “I have a friend that tried to create her own boyfriend, and she ended up creating a cactus who was obsessed with her. Kept getting spindles stuck everywhere.” Morty pointed at her crotch. “Down there.”
I inhaled deeply, then exhaled a slow and steady breath. “I’m an independent woman. I own a business. I’m happy. I don’t want a relationship.”
Everyone sat in silence for a moment while I stewed over this conundrum.
“Then fake one,” Riven said quietly.
I slowly turned to face him. “What?”
He stepped forward. “Fake one. With me.”
Chapter Eight
RIVEN
Witch’s tits. Why had I said that? The words had just burst out, but now that I’d said them, in front of not only Emma, but Morty and Mr. Thorne, I couldn’t take them back, so I forged on. “I’m here for a month. That’s enough time for the shop to see you’re in a relationship. When I have to leave, we can still pretend we’re together, doing long distance. The shop won’t know any different. It’ll just see that you’re serious about love. Like it wants.”
“What are you getting out of this?” Emma asked, her blue eyes wide.
“Riven!” one of the girls screamed outside the window, banging on it.
Fuck, I’d forgotten they were there. “I’ll finally have some peace,” I said. “If I’m in a relationship, then maybe all these fans will stop throwing themselves at me. Especially if you’re with me all the time.”
“All the time?” Emma repeated, brows furrowing.
